MX2013001966A - An extreme temperature aqueous decontamination composition. - Google Patents

Abstract

An extreme temperature decontamination composition such as a solution for destroying microorganisms, chemical warfare and bioterrorism agents is utilized that generally does not freeze at low temperatures down to about minus 25 °F and also has no significant evaporation or decomposition at temperatures up to about 120 °F. The solution is effective against nerve agents and vesicants such as VX and HD, and various biological agents. The composition comprises a metallic salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, an aqueous solvent system comprising polar compounds such as water and an alkyl glycol, and a quasi hydrophilic compound. The composition can be formulated as a one part system wherein all components are blended together.

Description

AN AQUEOUS COMPOSITION FOR DECONTAMINATION AT TEMPERATURES EXTREME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an aqueous composition for decontamination, which is effective against organisms including microorganisms, chemical weapons and agents for bioteriorism in a surprisingly wide temperature range; It is not flammable, has low viscosity, and is friendly to the environment. Generally, the composition comprises a metal salt. of a dichloroisocyanuric acid or a dibromoisocyanuric acid, an aqueous solvent system containing polar compounds such as water and a glycol, and a quasi-hydrophilic compound. Rapid reductions (logarithmic reductions in base 10), of microorganisms up to log 6 are obtained.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Chemical and Biological Weapons (CWA and B A, respectively) continue to be a threat in current military efforts. Neurotoxic gases, vesicants and biological agents can be found in all regions of the planet in widely diverse climatic conditions. To address this challenge, decontamination systems are required to work under extreme climatic conditions. A single decontaminant, which is effective at both ends of the temperature spectrum, would reduce the logistics by preventing the need to apply multiple decontaminating formulations.

Currently, materials used in the decontamination of surfaces contaminated with chemical and biological warfare weapons are predominantly water-based systems, which demonstrate optimal activity near or around room temperature. At low temperatures (below the freezing point of water) these systems tend to freeze or their reactivity decreases to almost zero, or the necessary contact times are unreasonably long. Conversely, at high temperatures many decontaminants rapidly decompose due to their reactive nature, and since they are typically aqueous solutions, they rapidly evaporate from the surfaces so that their exposure to the target agents is limited.

In addition, there are many cases where a low temperature / substance to sterilize (sterilizer) is required in the industry. Examples of this are low temperature white rooms, low temperature manufacturing areas, meat stores, etc.

U.S. Patent No. 3,169,906 relates to a sterile topical aerosol preparation and the process for preparing the same. More especially, topical aerosol preparations for human sterilizing agents, comprising from 20 to 500 p.p.m. of an alkylene oxide, said compound is introduced into an aerosol dispenser pressurized in the mixture with a propellant so that the concentration of said alkylene oxide is in the range of from 40 to 1000 ppm, and preferably from 40 to 400 ppm.

The U.S. patents 5,236,614; 6,123,950 and US Publication 2006/0008494, generally, relate to bleach and disinfectant compositions which may contain silicone compounds, alcohol solvents, or detergents.

Patents 6,706,677; 7,259,133, and 7,319,085, are generally related to compositions containing a lipophilic liquid and a bleach system for treating fabric articles such as clothing, bedding and curtain.

U.S. Publication 2004/0022672 relates to a method for disinfecting and / or sterilizing the hydraulic circuit within a dental unit using active solutions.

U.S. Publication 2007/0244010 relates to providing a dichloroisocyanurate composition having storage stability, which supposedly has low corrosivity for various metals when used in an aqueous solution, and which generates low irritation odor even when the concentration of the same is increased. in an aqueous solution. The composition comprises a dichloroisocyanurate and sodium metasilicate pentahydrate, in which only the surface of the particles is subjected to a treatment to reduce the degree of hydration.

GB 2 426 708 A, relates to a multi-part disinfectant composition, comprising parts that are packaged separately before use, said parts when combined in water or an aqueous solution, react to form chlorine dioxide. Preferably, the separated parts are a metal chlorite, for example, sodium chlorite, and a mono-, di- or tri-chloroisocyanurate.

Publication O2006 / 085975 relates to organic compositions for decontamination and methods of use thereof, which include a biocidal fraction dispersed in a substantially non-aqueous carrier, and having less than about 10% by weight of water. The biocide fraction contains organic peroxides, oxides, aldehydes, phenols, naphthas and acids, quaternary ammonium compounds, transition metal salts, halogens, compounds containing a halogen (N, S or B atom), ozone and mixtures of the same, effective in a biocidal way.

Publication WO 2007/022610, relates to a method for treating coffee fruits with or without the pulp, comprising the step of contacting the coffee fruits with a solution of a composition selected from the group consisting of inorganic compositions and Active organic chlorine releasing agents, such as calcium oxychloride, dichloroisocyanuric acid and the sodium and potassium salts thereof, and trichloroisocyanuric acid diluted in a liquid vehicle.

The document CN 101036622 is related to a liquid to wash disinfectant and to sterilize the human body, mainly with sodium dichloroisocyanurate, is formed by combining the solvent, the crude powder of sodium dichloroisocyanurate, the pigment, the seasoning and the glycerin in the raw liquid, which is capable of mixing with water in any proportion, and all medications are kept in the solvent.

CN 1615699 relates to an aerosol sterilizing agent consisting of 100 parts by weight of sodium dichloroisocyanurate, 6-14 parts by weight of adipic acid, 8-12 parts by weight of potassium hypermanganate, and 4-8 parts by weight of phenolic powder for molding. The agent for sterilization in packaged aerosol, is brought to ignition to produce chlorine bleach spray and to sterilize, with good killer effect against neurospores, green mold, blue mold, Aspergillus flavus, mucor, etc. harmful to edible fungi.

The document CN 1631154 relates to an effervescent disinfectant containing chlorine with a slight chlorine taste, which may be a tablet, granule or effervescent powder and disinfectant containing chlorine. This is complexed from the chlorine of organic origin, the surface activator and the sodium salt; It can be dissolved quickly in water and prepared in disinfectant liquid containing chlorine.

The document CN 1220089 relates to a disinfectant that acts rapidly in the killing of gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, spores, fungi and various microorganisms of hepatitis viruses and influenza viruses, etc. Said fast compound disinfectant is prepared by using active chlorine as the main effective component for the killing of bacteria, and by adding the detergent disinfectant and the protein denaturation disinfectant.

CN 1281824 relates to a method for sterilizing the circulating water system, which is characterized by adding the inorganic alkaline compound in the circulating water, which contains germicide to obtain a pH value of 9-12. Said invented sterilization method can be used to inhibit the growth of microbes.

The CN patent 101103728 relates to a combination of agricultural sterilization comprising sodium dichloroisocyanurate, potassium dichloroisocyanurate and other active components.

JP 11-158008, relates to a composition obtained by coating: (A) the surface of a solid compound that releases an active halogen of a compound based on chlorinated isocyanuric acid, substituted 1,3-halogen-5, 5-dimethylhydantoin, etc .; with (B) a compound selected from (i) a sulfate salt of a higher alcohol, and (ii) a higher saturated fatty acid (salt), and used in an amount of 0.5-50% by weight, preferably 2-25 % by weight, based on component A.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A composition in aqueous broad spectrum solution for decontamination is described, which is effective over a wide temperature range, for example, from about -32 ° C (-25 ° F) to about 49 ° C (120 ° F), without freezing or substantial evaporation, and comprises dichloro or dibromoisocyanuric acid or the alkali metal salts thereof, and various aqueous solvents such as water, ethylene or propylene glycol, alkyl lactate, and optionally alcohol or organic carbonates. Generally, solutions have a pH from about 4 to about 10, are non-flammable, are stable, environmentally friendly; that is, green solutions, and has the proper viscosities in the temperature range. The composition of the solution for decontamination, is very effective against microorganisms, chemical weapons and bioterrorism, and provide logarithmic reductions (log), of at least about 5, or about 6, or about 7, with respect to the same. The decontamination may be to eliminate various classes of compounds, Examples include spores, fungi, mycobacteria, vegetative bacteria, protozoa; as well as, other etiological agents including bioterrorism agents such as anthrax, botulism, brucella, cholera, typhus fever, typhoid fever, and the like.

In one aspect of the invention, an aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperature, comprises a metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or a dibromoisocyanuric acid; an aqueous solvent system comprising polar compounds, including water and one or more alkyl glycols having from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; and one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds comprising an alkyl lactate, having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds is from about 35% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that the amount of said metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or said dibromoisocyanuric acid from about 1 part to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that said composition for decontamination at extreme temperature, is essentially free of any compound containing organosilicon, and characterized in that said composition for decontamination at extreme temperature, is essentially free of any bleach.

It is a further aspect of the invention, a plurality of packages for forming an aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperature, comprising a first package comprising a metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or a dibromoisocyanuric acid; and a second package comprising a solvent system comprising polar compounds, including water and one or more alkyl glycols having from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; and one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds comprising an alkyl lactate, having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds is from about 35% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; . characterized in that the amount of said metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or said dibromoisocyanuric acid in said first package is from about 1 part to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that said first package and said second package are essentially free of any organosilicon-containing compound, and characterized in that said first package and said second package are essentially free of any bleach.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a process for the formation of an aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperature, it comprises the steps of providing a metal salt of the dichloroisocyanuric acid or of a dibromoisocyanuric acid; provide an aqueous solvent system comprising polar compounds, including water and one or more alkyl glycols having from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; providing one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds comprising an alkyl lactate, having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds is from about 35% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that the amount of said metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, is from about 1 part to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said hydrophilic compounds; and mixing said metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds, and forming an aqueous solution for decontamination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is related to the efficacy of dichloroisocyanuric acid (DCICA) in a solvent system, against the chemical agents HD and VX; FIG. 2 is related to the efficacy of DCICA against the thioanisole stimulant in CARC panels; FIG. 3 is related to a reaction time of DCICA against DEMPT at -30 ° C; FIG. 4 is related to the biological effectiveness of DCICA in a solvent system, compared to Spor Klenz® RTU and bleach; FIG. 5 is related to the efficacy of DCICA against B. subtilis at various pH values; FIG. 6 is related to the adverse effect that ethyl lactate has on bleaching solutions; Y FIG. 7 is related to the adverse effect of benzimidazole on DCICA solutions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The aqueous solution for broad spectrum decontamination of the present invention is very effective in eradicating, destroying, or killing various types of microorganisms including, but not limited to, several spores; several mushrooms; several mycobacteria; several vegetative bacteria; several protozoa; like, several chemical weapons; and several agents for bioterrorism. Examples of spores include endospores, such as Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus subtilis globigii, Clostridium sporogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus circulans. Examples of fungi include Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Wangiella dermatitis. Examples of mycobacteria include Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium smegmantis, and Mycobacterium terrae. Examples of vegetative bacteria include Aeromonas hydrophila, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella (pneumoniae), Legionella pneumophila, Methylobacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Samonella choleraesuis, Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Examples of protozoa include Giardia lamblia and Cryptospodidim parvum.

Examples of chemical weapons that can be eradicated or destroyed by the decontamination solutions of the present invention, include: vesicants such as HD, and as neurotoxic agents including VX and any other compound containing phosphono groups.

Examples of agents for bioterriorism that can be treated with decontamination solutions of the present invention include anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin), brucella species (brucellosis), Burkholderia mallei (glander), Burkholderia pseudomallei (Melioidosis), Chlamydia Psittaci (psittacosis), cholera (Vibrio cholerae), Clostridium perfringens (Epsilon toxin), Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), emerging infectious diseases, such as Nipah and Hantavirus viruses, Escherichia coli 0157: H7 (E Coli), threats to food safety (eg salmonella species), Francisella tularensis (tularemia), plague (Yersinia pestis), Ricinus communis ricin toxin (castor bean seeds), Rickettsia prowazekii (typhus), Salmonella typhi ( typhoid fever), shigella (shigellosis), smallpox (Variola major), Staphylococcal enterotoxin B, Vibrio cholerae (cholera), Viral Encephalitis (alphavirus [for example, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis], viral hemorrhagic fevers ( filoviruses [eg, Ebola, Marburg], and arenaviruses [eg, Lassa, Machupol], threats to water safety (eg, Cryptosporidium parvum), and Yersinia pesti s (plague), or any combination thereof.

As noted above, decontamination solutions have many advantages with respect to properties and applications thereof, such as good temperature stability, low freezing points, low vapor pressure, non-flammable, low viscosity, compatibility of the compounds, and friendly with the environment.

The aqueous decontamination compositions of the present invention do not freeze at temperatures above about -18 ° C (0 ° F), and preferably at temperatures above about -25 ° F (-32 ° C). Thus, the good stability properties of the liquid decontamination compositions of the present invention generally exist at extreme temperatures of about -32 ° C (-25 ° F) to about 49 ° C (120 ° F), desirably about - 18 ° C (0 ° F) at about 43 ° C (at about 110 ° F), and preferably at about -12 ° C (10 ° F) to about 39 ° C (100 ° F). With respect to the general chemical properties, the decontamination solutions of the present invention are generally not harmful to the skin of humans and the vapors thereof are not harmful to the lungs.

Another important property of the decontamination solutions of the present invention is that they are non-flammable, have boiling points above 100 ° C, and have low vapor pressures. The evaporation rates of decontaminating solutions are minimal. For one modality, after 200 minutes, the weight loss was < 20% at 10 ° C, < 50% a < 20 ° C, and < 90% at 50 ° C. This evaporation rate is slow compared to the reaction time for decontamination.

In addition to non-freezing, the invention maintains a suitable consistency for pumping or pouring. Generally, the viscosity of decontamination solutions ranges from about 120 centipoise or less, and desirably about 100 centipoise or less at temperatures of about -32 ° C (-25 ° F); generally about 50 or less, or about 40 or less, and even about 35 centipoise or less at temperatures of about -18 ° C (0 ° F); and preferably about 20 centipoise or less at temperatures of about -12 ° C (10 ° F). Generally, the lower limit of viscosity at higher temperatures up to about 49 ° C (120 ° F), is less than about 20, desirably less than about 10, and preferably even less than about 5 centipoise.

Another important advantage of the decontamination solutions of the present invention is that the various components thereof are compatible with one another over the broad temperature ranges mentioned above. Also, decontamination compositions also have good useful use time, generally at least 4 hours and desirably at least 8 hours at 27 ° C (80 ° F). That is, they are effective, with respect to decontamination to eliminate various microorganisms, etc., after the time of useful employment.

Also, decontamination solutions are environmentally friendly, as they meet the EPA definition of green chemistry. "Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances." The decomposition products of this invention include ethanol, glycerin and other naturally occurring solvents, as well as organic acids, such as lactic acid.

The decontamination compositions of the present invention may comprise either a one pack system, characterized in that all the components have been mixed together, or a two pack system. With respect to the composition of a package, one component is an aqueous solvent system comprising polar compounds, as well as one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds. The polar composition includes water, generally in significant amounts such as from about 20 to about 80%, desirably from about 30 to about 70%, and preferably from about 40 to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the polar solvents. Other polar components that have been found to be very effective in achieving the various aforementioned attributes of the present invention are various alkyl glycols having from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, such as the preferred ethylene glycol with propylene glycol. The amount of one or more of the glycols mentioned is from about 20 to about 80%, desirably from about 30 to about 70%, and preferably from about 40 to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the solvents polar.

The quasi-hydrophilic compound includes one or more alkyl lactates, characterized in that the alkyl group has from 1 to about 10, and desirably from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, such as methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, or lactate. of propyl, with ethyl lactate being preferred. Generally, the amount of one or more lactates is from about 10 to about 65%, desirably from about 20 to about 50 or about 60%, and preferably from about 30% to about 40% or about 45% by weight, the percentage The remaining weight is the total weight of the polar compounds, which is water and the one or more alkyl glycols. Thus, the total weight of the two or more polar compounds, ranges from about 35% to about 90%, desirably from about 40% or about 50% to about 80%, and preferably from about 55% or about 60% to about 70 % by weight, based on the total weight of the polar compounds and the quasi-hydrophilic compounds.

Another aspect of the present invention is the optional use of small amounts of an alkyl carbonate, characterized in that the alkyl group contains from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, with propylene carbonate being preferred. It has been found that the use of alkyl carbonates improves the solvent-like characteristics of the invention. Generally, the amount of one or more carbonates is from about 2 to about 20 parts, desirably from 4 to about 17 parts, and preferably from about 9 to about 13 parts by weight for each 100 parts by weight of the one or more polar compounds. and the one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds.

The present invention, as mentioned above, relates to an aqueous solution for decontamination, and therefore, contains large amounts of polar compounds or solvents including water. Thus, compositions containing low amounts of polar compounds, such as water, alcohols, glycols, glycol ethers, ethers, and the like, are excluded from the present invention. By the term "low amounts" is meant, generally, amounts of polar compounds which are generally less than about 30% and preferably less than about 25% by weight based on the total weight of the aqueous solution for decontamination.

The decontaminant is dichloroisocyanuric acid (DCICA) or dibromoisocyanuric acid (DBICA), and / or desirably a metal salt, preferably an alkali metal salt, thereof, such as lithium, sodium, or potassium, with sodium being especially preferred. Generally, the amount of the compound for decontamination; that is, the one or more salts of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, or both, is from about 0.1 to about 10, desirably from 2 to about 9, and preferably from about 3.5 to about 8 parts by weight, per 100 parts. by weight of the total weight of the one or more polar compounds and the one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds.

Generally, the composition of the aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperatures of the present invention can be prepared as a one part system of a two part system; that is, as a package modality or a two package modality. With respect to the mode of a package, the various components, such as polar compounds, the quasi-hydrophilic compound, and the metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, can be mixed in any general manner and then packaged. Until use, the composition of a package can be applied to any contaminated article such as a surface, substrate, article, apparatus, clothing, cloth, or a person, in any conventional manner, such as when spraying, roller application, brush application, wetting or immersing the article within the composition of the decontamination solution, and the like. If desired or required, subsequently, a second application can be made.

In the favored embodiment of two or two packs of the present invention, the various soluble or liquid components are obtained or supplied and mixed, or mixed together to form an aqueous or solvent mixture, which is subsequently contained in a package. Of course, the amount of the various liquid components or solvents is like that discussed here above. The second package is related to obtaining or supplying a decontaminant, and packaging it. Afterwards, both packages are stored until they are required for use. Before the application of the composition of the aqueous solution for decontamination, both packages are mixed or homogenized, which is added to each other, and thus is applied in any conventional manner as specified hereinabove, to a desired article, for example, a substrate, article, etc. Again, if desired or required, one or more subsequent applications can be made.

It is also an aspect of the present invention that the package containing the water component of the liquid can be packaged separately or used in the application source. However, this method is generally not desired since, an appropriate amount of water must be measured, and it also requires an additional mixing step.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the following examples, which serve to illustrate, but not to limit the present invention.

Chemical weapons simulators were selected for their ability to mimic specific behaviors or physical properties of living agents HD and VX. The following stimulants were selected: HD Simulators for decontamination: 2-Chloroethyl phenyl sulfide (CEPS) Physical Solubility of HD: Thioanisole VX decontamination simulator: Diethylmethylphosphonothioate (DE PT). The live agent results were compared with the simulator data to confirm the correlation between the two.

The high screening of the processing capacity, which uses simulators, was carried out using a device with a reactor block designed to suit the experiment1. The device has interchangeable blocks controlled by temperature that hold up to 24 vials for the reactor or for gas chromatography. Using a standard reactor method, the simulator and the compositions of the present invention were mixed; the reaction is killed, and the mixture was evaluated using mass spectrometry / gas chromatography (GC-MS), to determine the amount of remaining unreacted simulator and / or the products of the simulator reaction. Chemical samples for decontamination were run mainly in a GC-MS along with the appropriate controls and standards to allow quantification of unreacted raw material and decomposition products. 1 (You have, BM, Thanavaro, A., Kaiser, HJ Screening Methodologies for Chemical Warfare Agent Decontaminants 2006 Denver Decon Science &Technology Conference, Decon Science &Technology Conference, 31 Denver Decon Science &Technology Conference, 31 October - November 2, 2006, Westminster, Colorado (Poster)).

More specifically, the stimulator was added to a vial followed by a solution of the active ingredient.

Subsequently the vial was placed in the reactor block under controlled temperature and continuous agitation. The reaction was killed with an appropriate solution and mixed briefly by vortexing. Thus, chloroform is added to the extract, the resulting mixture and the vial are vortexed again. The chloroform phase was analyzed using GC / MS to determine the amount of unreacted remanent stimulant and / or the byproducts of the stimulant.

The temperature control for the reactor block apparatus was carried out by means of a high capacity recirculating bath capable of maintaining the fixed reaction temperatures throughout the range of -32 ° C to 50 ° C. The recirculator in line with the reactor block maintained the uniform mixing dynamics throughout all the experiments. A control sample of the solvent mixture was placed in a vial and monitored to ensure proper control of the temperature during the reaction process.

Challenge microbiological tests were performed using spores of B. subtilis as a substitute for anthrax. The slaughter studies over time were carried out to evaluate the microbiological efficacy of the most promising decontamination formulas.

The chemical and microbiological decontamination rates were monitored throughout the entire range of extreme temperatures from -32 ° C / -25 ° F to 49 ° C / 120 ° F.

The evaluation of several decontaminants revealed that dichloroisocyanuric acid (DCICA) was the least impacted by temperature. Even at -30 ° C, DCICA achieved 100% decontamination of DE PT (a VX simulator) in 5 minutes. (See FIG 3) The DCICA was easily solubilized with the polar solvents of the invention which provides the practical value at the mentioned extreme temperatures. In addition, it is not flammable, generally stable and "environmentally friendly, as is commonly available at a low cost.

Chemical and Biological Efficiency.

Efficacy of the Living Chemical Agent The use of simulators to perform initial screening studies provides a safer and more cost-effective method to explore the experimental space of a project. However, the behavioral characteristics of decontaminants against the simulator are not always indicative of performance against living agents. Therefore, it was required to evaluate the live agent to validate the use of simulators and to verify the behavior of the asset in the solvent systems. The evaluation by NMR was completed at room temperature for the convenience of handling the agent. Temperature control at the extremes of this temperature range was not possible with live agents and this type of evaluation. However, the test at room temperature had good correction for the simulator test, which was used to correlate the HD and VX reactions at the extremes of temperature.

The formulations used are the following: Formulations (percentage by weight) Dichloroisocyanurate 6% 6% of sodium Carbonate propylene The weight percent is based on the total weight of ethyl lactate, water, propylene glycol and propylene carbonate. The 'amount of DCICA, is based on the above components.

All solvent components were supplied by volume. 3.5mL of deionized water was combined with 3.0 mL_ of propylene glycol and 3.5 mL of ethyl lactate, obtaining a final volume of lOmL solvent. The sodium salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid was used as an active ingredient. 0.6 grams of the active was added to the 10 mL solvent system and mixed until completely combined.

Alternatively - An aqueous solution of the present invention, Formulation EMlOOl comprising 35% by weight of ethyl lactate, 31% by weight of propylene glycol and 34% by weight of water using 6 parts by weight of sodium dichloroisocyanurate was prepared by 100 parts by weight of the solution. Formulation EM1002 comprises 30% by weight of ethyl lactate, 31% by weight of propylene glycol and 29% by weight of water together with 10% by weight of propylene carbonate using 6 parts by weight of dichloroisocyanuric acid per 100 parts by weight. weight of the other components. The NMR test was carried out by combining 10 yL of VX or HD (marked with 13C), with 500 pL of the invention (the solution of solvents and the active ingredient of the previous paragraph) in a tube for NMR. Five inversions of the tube were made to mix the sample (EMlOOl) and the agent. The samples were evaluated in the given time using a 600 MHz equipment.

The agents and byproducts of the reaction were monitored by 31P for VX and 13C for HD. The results are shown in FIG. 1, where DCICA completely decontaminated the HD and VX agents at 25 ° C.

The Effect of the CARC Substrate on Efficacy To address the problems that the effectiveness against the aqueous decontamination solution may be reduced on a CARC surface (coating resistant to chemical weapons), an efficacy study was conducted against Thioanisole, a stimulating HD agent. The results using E 1001, indicated successful decontamination after a five-minute exposure to the decontaminant (Figure 2). The visual observation of the panels after the treatment did not reveal any negative impact on the CARC surface.

To predict the effect of temperature on chemical weapons at low temperatures; that is, -30 ° C, EM1001 was evaluated against DEMPT (a VX simulator). (Figure 3). Complete decontamination was achieved at times: 30, 15 and 5 minutes. This confirmed that chemical weapons can be decontaminated at subzero temperatures.

Another slaughtering study was completed over time, to evaluate the effectiveness at very low temperatures of Formulation EM1001 against organisms without spores and to evaluate the efficacy against more commonly known materials. The disinfection of the surface with mold by A. Niger (baseline 5.68), was evaluated at -3 ° C against the bleach and SporKlenz RTU (SK RTU), a sporicide based on peracetic acid. The results shown in FIG. 4, indicate that the proposed formulation under extreme climatic conditions, is appreciably more effective against this organism either bleach or SK RTU. Given the results of the micro-tests of the log 6 reduction at room temperature in five minutes, the highest temperatures were not evaluated. The rates of chemical reactions are already very high, which would only increase the reaction time to less than five minutes. Additionally, the upper limit of the temperature end would provide an uninhabitable environment for the microbes evaluated, without the chemistry.

As is clear from the aforementioned examples, the decontaminating solutions of the present invention, to eliminate microorganisms, chemical weapons and agents for bioterrorism, carried out the significant decontamination or eradication of the microorganisms through a temperature range from approximately -3 ° C (-30 ° F) or approximately -32 ° C (-25 ° F) to approximately 49 ° C (120 ° F). It was shown that the aqueous solvent system of the present invention provides favorable advantages and properties such as low viscosity, low freezing points, non-flammability, environmentally friendly, and the like.

Effect of pH Increase on B. subtilis As apparent from Figure 5, the aqueous decontamination solution EM1001 of the present invention resulted in a log 7 reduction from about pH 4 to about pH 10. In the comparison, a commercial product; that is, SporKlenz RTU, a spraicide based on peracetic acid (pH of 2-4), resulted in a log reduction of only about 1.0. Thus generally, the solutions of the present invention are effective at pH values of 4.0 to 10, and desirably from about pH 6 to about pH 8.

It is known that the ethyl lactate component of the aqueous decontamination solution deactivates the chlorine. Since dichloroisocyanuric acid is a chlorine-based oxidizing compound, it is thought that the use of ethyl lactate will prevent and inhibit antimicrobial activity. Several amounts of ethyl lactate were added to a 10% bleaching solution and the results thereof are shown in FIG. 6 As is evident from FIG. 6, a 10% bleaching solution was effective in achieving a log 7.0 reduction, with respect to B. subtilis. However, when several amounts of ethyl lactate were added thereto, essentially, the bleaching solution proved to be completely inoperative. Even when bleach was added to the present invention, ie Formula EME1001, it proved to be safe. However, when the applicant's aqueous solution for decontamination was used (without bleach), which contains the amounts of the components mentioned, shown in FIG. 6, unexpectedly, a log reduction of about 6 was achieved. In other words, the ethyl lactate had no effect at all on the chlorine content of the dichloroisocyanuric acid. Thus, the test of the unexpected results has been presented.

To achieve the aforementioned good properties of the present invention including the low freezing points, the low vapor pressure, the non-flammability, the low viscosity, the compatibility of the compounds, and their friendship with the environment, several compounds are avoided. which are detrimental to such properties including various imadazole compounds; various compounds such as metal carbonates; various organosilicon compounds, that is, compounds containing a silicon atom such as silanes, cyclic or linear siloxanes, various silicates and the like; several whiteners; several high molecular weight glycols such as those having 6 carbon atoms and higher; and various glycol ethers and various glycol polymers such as polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol; Thus, the amounts of such compounds used with respect to each package of a one pack system or two pack system, this is generally about less than 10 parts by weight, desirably less than about 5 parts by weight, and preferably less than about 2 parts by weight, and most preferably none, that is none of the compounds thereof, per 100 parts by weight of the one or more polar solvents and quasi-hydrophilic compounds. That is, aqueous decontamination compositions are essentially free of such compounds.

For example, when an imidazole compound, for example, benzimidazole (90 mM), was added to the E 1001 solution for decontamination or EM1002 of the present invention, it substantially inhibited any log kill of B. subtilis see FIG. 7. Thus, various imidazole compounds are excluded from the present invention, since they deplete the sporicidal activity. That is, the various aqueous decontaminating solutions of the present invention are free of any imidazole compound or contain only a very small amount thereof as mentioned above.

Metallic carbonates such as sodium carbonate are excluded from the invention since they have been found to reduce the amount of dead B. subtilis using EM1001. Thus, if any sodium carbonate is used, very small amounts thereof are used as mentioned above.

As described, the various silicon-containing compounds excluded, include silicates or salts thereof, silanes, as well as linear and cyclic polysiloxanes, because these often provide slippage to the composition, and thus reduce adhesion to the applied substrate, as well as it translates into an aqueous decontaminating composition less friendly to the environment.

Also, it is within the scope of the present invention to exclude bleaches, such as several bleaches with hydrogen peroxide, various bleaches with perborate such as sodium perborate, various bleaches with pyrophosphate such as sodium pyrophosphate; sodium percarbonate; sodium peroxide; various whitening agents with persulfate, various bleaching agents with hypochlorite, and the like. That is, the solutions of the present invention are essentially free thereof, and if used, they contain a very small amount as indicated above.

Other compounds that are excluded from the present invention include higher alkyl glycols; that is, C6 and above, and glycol ethers; that is, ethers containing 6 or more carbon atoms or repeating the groups thereof, as well as polymeric glycols, such as polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Thus, the aqueous decontamination compositions of the present invention, they are essentially free of such ethers of glycols and glycols, and if used, contain very small amounts thereof as mentioned above.

As discussed above, an important aspect of the present invention is to use large amounts of polar solvents, for example water and various alkyl glycols. That is, the total amount of the polar solvents of the present invention, generally, are at least about 30% or at least about 35% by weight, desirably at least about 40% by weight, and preferably at least about 60% by weight of polar solvent based on the total weight of all polar solvents and all quasi-hydrophilic compounds.

While according to the statutes of patentability, the best mode and favored modality have been exposed, the scope of the invention is not limited to these, but by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS Having described the present invention, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. An aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperatures, characterized in that it comprises: a metal salt of the dichloroisocyanuric acid or a dibromoisocyanuric acid; an aqueous solvent system comprising polar compounds including water and one or more alkyl glycols having from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; and one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds comprising an alkyl lactate having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds, is from about 35% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that the amount of said metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or said dibromoisocyanuric acid, is from about 1 part to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that said composition for decontamination at extreme temperature, is essentially free of any organosilicon-containing compound, and characterized in that said composition for decontamination at extreme temperature, is essentially free of any bleach. The aqueous solution for extreme temperature decontamination of claim 1, characterized in that said metal salt is an alkali metal salt; characterized in that said alkyl lactate has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; characterized in that said alkyl glycol is ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, characterized in that the amount of said water, is from about 20% to about 80% by weight, based on the total amount of said water and said alkyl glycol; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds, is from about 40% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds, and characterized in that the amount of said salt of said dichloroisocyanuric acid or said dibromoisocyanuric acid, is from about 2 parts to about 9 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds. The aqueous solution for extreme temperature decontamination of claim 2, characterized in that said alkali metal salt is sodium or potassium, characterized in that the amount of said dichloroisocyanuric acid or said dibromoisocyanuric acid, is from about 3.5 parts to about 8 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that said alkyl glycol is propylene glycol, characterized in that said alkyl lactate is ethylene lactate, characterized in that the amount of said water, is from about 30% to about 70% by weight, based on the total amount of said water and said alkyl glycol; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds is from about 55% to about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds. characterized in that the amount of any such organosilicon-containing compound is from about 2 parts or less in weight per 100 parts by weight, for said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; Y characterized in that any amount of any of said bleach is from about 2 parts by weight or less to 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds. The aqueous solution for extreme temperature decontamination of claim 1, characterized in that it further includes an alkyl carbonate having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in an amount of from about 2 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; A plurality of packages for forming an aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperatures, characterized in that it comprises: a first package comprising a metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or of a dibromoisocyanuric acid; Y a second package comprising a solvent system comprising polar compounds including water and one or more alkyl glycols having from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; and one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds comprising an alkyl lactate having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds, is from about 35% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that the amount of said metal salt, dichloroisocyanuric acid salt or said dibromoisocyanuric acid in said first packet is from about 1 part to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that said first package and said second package are essentially free of any organosilicon containing compound, and characterized in that said first package and said second package are essentially free of any bleach. The aqueous solution for extreme temperature decontamination of claim 5, characterized in that said metal salt is an alkali metal salt; characterized in that said alkyl lactate has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said water, is from about 20% to about 80% by weight, based on the total amount of said water and said alkyl glycol; characterized in that said alkyl glycol is ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; characterized in that the amount of any of said polar compounds is from about 40% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that the amount of any said organosilicon-containing compound is from about 5 parts by weight or less to 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; Y characterized in that the amount of any of said bleach is about 5 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds. The aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperatures of claim 6, characterized in that said alkali metal salt is sodium or potassium, characterized in that said alkyl glycol is propylene glycol, characterized in that said alkyl lactate is ethylene lactate, characterized in that the amount of said water is from about 30% to about 70% by weight, based on the total amount said water and said alkyl glycol; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds is from about 55% to about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that the amount of said dichloroisocyanuric acid or said dibromoisocyanuric acid, is from about 3.5 part to about 8 parts by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that the amount of any such organosilicon-containing compound is about 2 parts or less by weight per 100 parts by weight, for said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; Y characterized in that any amount of any of said bleach is from about 2 parts by weight or less to 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds. The aqueous solution for extreme temperature decontamination of claim 7, characterized in that it includes an alkyl carbonate having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in an amount of from about 2 parts to about 20 parts by weight per 100 parts in weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; A process for forming an aqueous solution for decontamination at extreme temperature, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: supplying a metal salt of the dichloroisocyanuric acid or a dibromoisocyanuric acid; providing an aqueous solvent system characterized in that it comprises polar compounds including water and one or more alkyl glycols having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; providing one or more quasi-hydrophilic compounds characterized in that they comprise an alkyl lactate having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds is from about 35% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds, and characterized in that the amount of said metal salts of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, is from about 1 part to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; Y mixing said metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, said polar compounds, and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds, and forming an aqueous solution for decontamination. The process of claim 9, characterized in that said metal salt is an alkali metal salt; characterized in that said alkyl lactate has from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; characterized in that the amount of said water is from about 20% to about 80% by weight, based on the total amount of said water and said alkyl glycol; characterized in that said alkali metal salt is sodium or potassium; characterized in that said alkyl glycol is ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; characterized in that said alkyl lactate is ethylene lactate; characterized in that the amount of said water is from about 30% to about 70% by weight, based on the total amount of said water or said alkyl glycol; characterized in that the amount of said polar compounds, is from about 40% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds, and characterized in that the amount of said metal salt of said acid dichloroisocyanuric or said dibromoisocyanuric acid, is from about 2 parts to about 9 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds and said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; characterized in that said aqueous decontamination solution contains about 5 parts by weight or less of an organosilicon-containing compound per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds or said quasi-hydrophilic compounds; Y characterized in that said aqueous decontamination solution contains about 5 parts by weight or less of a bleach per 100 parts by weight of said polar compounds or said quasi-hydrophilic compounds.